Container and closure means therefor



March 5, 1968 E. J. STENGLE, JR 3,371,847

CONTAINER AND CLOSURE MEANS THEREFOR Filed Dec. 5, 1965 INVENTOR. F I EDWARD JZSTENGLEJI;

ATFOQNEVS United States Patent 3,371,847 CONTAINER AND CLOSURE MEANS THEREFOR Edward James Stengle, Jr., Toledo, Ohio, assignor to Owens-Illinois, Inc., a corporation of Ohio Filed Dec. 3, 1965, Ser. No. 511,532 4 Claims. (Cl. 229-43) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention covers a two-piece closure for a composite container or a beaded tumbler having a first member of soft resilient rubber-like material with a depressed central panel located slightly internally of the container and an integrally formed U-shaped flange which snugly engages the container rim and, as a second member, a thin disc of a rigid material which overlies the central panel of the first member and urges the leg of the flange of the first member into sealing engagement with the inside surface of the container wall; also covers the combination of such a closure with a container.

This invention relates to a container of wide-mouth configuration, particularly a neckless container, in which an otherwise open end of the container is sealingly closed by closure means of novel and advantageous construction. More particularly, the invention relates to such a container in which an otherwise open end thereof is closed by closure means which sealingly engages the interior surface of the wall of the container in an endless pattern at a location inwardly of the rim of the container wall.

In a particular and preferred embodiment of the invention, the wall of the container is constructed mainly of one or more plies of fibreboard wound into a cylindrical configuration and internally lined with a suitable material to protect the fibreboard wall from the deleterious effects of the container contents, the end of the container being closed by closure means suitable to protect the unlined edge of the container from contact with the container contents notwithstanding irregularities in the inner surface of the container Wall due to the seam between adjacent convolutions of the fibreboard body stock and/or lining material. Specifically, the invention relates to a container of spirally wound fibreboard construction for use in packaging aqueous products, frozen citrus juice, for example, in which the wall of the container has bonded to the interior thereof a continuous ply of a spirally wound moisture-impervious material, for example, aluminum foil or aluminum foil laminated to a paper backing.

In an alternative embodiment, the invention relates to a glass tumbler having a rim which is in the form of a thickened bead and which has an otherwise open end that is closed by closure means which sealingly engage the inside surface of the tumbler wall in a circumferential pattern at a location inwardly of the thickened bead,

Closure means in accordance with the present invention com-prises a closure member formed or molded of a flexible resilient plastic material and having a central panel to be snugly fitted within an end of an associated container at a location axially inwardly of the rim of the container wall. Additionally, the closure comprises an endless flange perimetrically extending from the central panel and integral therewith, the flange being U-shaped in transverse section for snugly engaging the rim of the container wall and the portion immediately thereunder. Closely overlying the central panel of the closure, as a separate element of the closure means, is a thin disc of a material considerably more rigid than the material of the closure and of a size and configuration suitable to urge the leg of the endlessflange which joins the central panel into sealing engagement with the adjacent portion of the container wall in an endless pattern. In a preferred construction, accidental or inadvertent removal of the thin disc from its seated position overlying the central panel of the closure is combatted by constructing the rim of the-container and/ or the flange of the closure in such a fashion that, when the closure means is in place on the container, portions of the flange of the closure adjacent the bight thereof extend inwardly over portions of the thin disc. It is also feasible to impart properties of convenient removability, reclosability, and resealability to such closure means by providing both the closure and thin disc with removal tabs at accessible locations thereof.

For a further understanding of the present invention, attention is directed to the following portion of the specification, the drawing, and the appended claims:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, in section, of a container of fibreboard construction, shown fragmentarily, fitted with closure means in accordance with present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a container of fibreboard construction, shown fragmentarily, fitted with closure means in accordance with the present invention of a type having means for conveniently removing the closure means from the container;

FIGS. 35 are perspective views, similar to FIG. 2, showing successive steps in the removal of the closure means from the container; and

FIG. 6 is a view, similar to FIG. 1, of a glass tumbler fitted with closure means in accordance with the present invention.

In accordance with the embodiment of the invention illustrated at FIG. 1, there is provided a generally cylindrical container body 11 defined by a wall of composite construction which may be formed by spirally winding one or more plies of a fibreboard material, such as kraft linerboard, into a cylindrical tube on a mandrel in a well-known manner and by severing the cylindrical tube to predetermined lengths. As part of the winding process, the interior surface of the wall 12 of container body 11 has bonded thereto a spirally-wound layer of a liner or barrier material which serves to protect the fibreboard in the wall from the deleterious effect of the contents to be packaged in the completed container. Where the packaged contents are aqueous, as in the case of frozen orange juice, and in many other cases, it is common to use an inner liner consisting of aluminum foil or of aluminum foil laminated to paper for backing. In any event, the strand of inner liner material is wound in such a, manner that the edges of adjacent convolutions are disposed in abutting or overlapping relationship so that there is preseiited to the packaged product a continuous layer of such a barrier material. The seams between successive convolutions of the inner liner of the wall of container body 11 are denoted by numeral 13 in FIG. 1. It is also to be noted that it is contemplated that the present invention can also be satisfactorily practiced in conjunction with composite container bodies formed by convolutely winding the various layers of body material, i.e., with a vertically extending seam. Such a construction is not, as yet, as popular in the manufacture of container bodies as is the spirally-Wound construction, however.

The otherwise open end of container body 12 illustrated in FIG. 1, which terminates in an annular rim 14, is sealingly closed by closure means, designated generally by numeral 15. Closure means comprises, as a first element thereof, a formed or molded closure member 16 of a flexible resilient plastic material. Closure member 16 comprises a central panel 17 transversely spanning the end of container body 11 at a location inwardly of rim 14. Closure member 16 further comprises an endless or circumferential flange 18 integrally formed with panel 17 and which, as is shown, is generally U-shaped in transverse section. The juncture between the inner leg of U- shaped flange 18 and central panel 17 is spaced from the bight of the flange and the flange extends from the juncture in such a manner that it snugly engages the portion of the wall 12 of container body between the central panel 17 of closure 16 and the rim 14 of wall 12. In such a position, the bight of flange 18 overlies rim 14 of wall 12.

Closure means 15 also comprises a thin planar closure disc 19 of a material considerably more rigid than the material of closure member 16 and which closely overlies central panel 17 of closure member 16. Disc 19 is of a size and configuration as to positively outwardly bias or urge the inner leg of flange 18 into sealing engagement with the interior of wall 12 of container body 11 in a circumferential or endless pattern at a location interiorly of the rim 14 of Wall 12. Such a sealing technique is of particular advantage in connection with container bodies constructed predominantly of fibreboard for use in packaging aqueous products because it prevents the packaged product from contacting the exposed fi-breboard in the rim of the container wall from whence it could penetrate considerable portions of the container wall by wicking with a substantial weakening effect.

The flange 18 of closure member 16 and/or the portion of the wall 12 of container body 11 immediately adjacent rim 13 may be constructed in such a manner that, when closure member 16 is in place on container wall 12, there is provided inwardly extending portions of the inner leg of flange 18 to form an undercut at the juncture between flange 18 and central panel 17. Such an undercut, which may, for example, be conveniently provided by inwardly rolling the terminal portion of container wall 12, provides a locking effect to retain disc 19 in operative sealing engagement with closure member 16 and container wall notwithstanding impact forces or other means which might otherwise cause it to become accidentally or inadvertently disengaged therefrom.

It has previously been mentioned that closure member 16 of closure means 15 is constructed of a flexible resilient plastic material. These properties are important if the closure member is to be able to deform sufficiently to accommodate normal irregularities in the wall of the associated container, for example, taped seams of the inner layer, a composite contained or skived joints of underlying bodies plies thereof or inherent out-of-roundness of the wall of a more rigid container such as a glass tumbler. A material which has been found to be ideally suited for use in the forming of closure element 16, particularly by vacuum forming, is an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer such as that marketed by US. Industrial Chemical Company of New York (a division of National Distillers and Chemical Corporation) under the name of Ultrathene. This material has properties which are rubber-like and is well suited for frozen citrus concentrate juice packaging applications because it remains resilient at sub-freezing temperatures. The softness, flexibility and cold flow characteristics of this material give it the ability to maintain an effective seal notwithstanding surface irregularities or ordinary out-of-roundness in the Wall of the associat ed container. This polymer also exhibits skid-resistant properties which are of advantage in retarding dis-placement of the closure element formed therefrom from the associated container under stress. Additionally, where the packaged product is oxygen-sensitive, excellent oxygen barrier properties may be imparted to this material, for example, by coating at least the central panel of .a closure formed therefrom with Saran (a polyvinylidene chloride) or With a completely hydrolized polyvinyl alcohol. Other flexible resilient plastic materials satisfactory for the construction of closure element 16 in at least some packaging applications include low density polyethylene, plasticrzed vinyls and foamed plastics.

Thin disc 19 may be constructed from any of a relatively large number of readily available materials which possess considerably greater rigidity than the material from which closure member 16 is formed. Because of the rigidity of the thin disc and the flexibility of the closure member, the closure disc is effective to maintain the closure member in sealing contact with the container wall. Satisfactory rigidity can be obtained by constructing the disc of a rigid fibreboard, such as kraft linerboard, aluminum, or a rigid polymer such as high density polyethylene. polypropylene, and the like. Aluminum may be employed to particular advantage in certain instances becouse of its oxygen barrier properties or, alternatively similar advantages may be obtained by using another material, such as fibrebo'ard with a layer *of aluminum foil laminated thereto.

Easy-open features, with properties of reclosability and resealability not ordinarily found in other easyopen closures, may be imparted to the closure means of the present invention by providing closure element 16 and closure disc 19 with removal tabs at accessible locations, namely tabs 21 and 22, respectively, as is shown in FIGS. 2-5. Closure means 15 may thereby be readily manually removed from container by individually removing closure disc 19 and closure element 16 therefrom in the succession of steps shown in FIGS. 2-5. Closure element 16 can be readily returned to position on container 11 if reclosability is desired and, if resealability is desired, closure disc 19 can also be returned to its operative position.

In cases where removal tab 22 of closure disc 19 is an upwardly deflectable portion of the disc, per se, formed by a double-ended or U-shaped line of cut therein, as shown, the oxygen permeation barrier of the closure means may be readily provided by means of an aluminum foil insert (not shown) located between disc 19 and central panel 17 of closure element 16.

It is to be noted that the end of container 11 not shown in the drawing figures can be considered to be suitably closed by any appropriate closure means including such prior art closure means as aluminum or tin-plate ends, or by closure means in accordance with the present invention. If closure means in accordance with the present invention are used, only one end of the can ordinarily will be provided with an easy-off feature.

As is shown in FIG. 6, closure means in accordance with the present invention may be employed to advantage in conjunction with a glass container constructed in the configuration of a glass tumbler. It is a popular packaging technique to use, as a premium item, a glass tumbler in place of a conventional glass container in the packaging of many products so that the customer can be encouraged to buy the packaged item by the adaptability of the container to serve as a reusable drinking glass when the packaged product is used. Such a tumbler, which is generally designated by numeral 31 in FIG. 6, has a glass wall 32 that'terminates in a rim 34 which is in the form of a thickened bead. Closure means 15, preferably with the easy-off tabs of FIGS. 25, is aflixed to tumbler 31 generally as in the manner of FIG. 1. The inwardly extending portion of annular bead 34 serves as highly satisfactory means to inwardly deform the upper portion of inner leg of the annular flange to thereby positively retain underlying closure disc in place.

The best mode known to me to carry out this invention has been described above in terms sufliciently full, clear, concise and exact as to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the same. It is to be understood, however, that it is within my contemplation that certain modifications of the above-described mode of practicing the invention can be made by a skilled artisan without departing from the scope of the invention and, it is, therefore, desired to limit the invention only in accordance with the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination: a cylindrical container closed at one end and having a circumferential wall of fibreboard terminating at its other end in an annular rim; a closure in closing engagement with said container adjacent said other end, said closure being formed from a flexible resilient material having rubber-like properties and comprising a central panel transversely spanning said container at a location inwardly of said other end, said fibreboard wall being continuously internally lined with a moisture impervious material to a location outwardly of the sealing engagement between said closure and the container, and a circumferential annular integral flange which is generally U-shaped in transverse section extending generally transversely from the periphery of the central panel, said flange being disposed with its bight overlying the rim and serving to snugly engage the portion of the Wall between the central panel of the closure and the rim, said flange, when said closure is in closing engagement with said container, having an internal diameter slightly greater than the internal diameter of the circumferential wall of the container; a thin circular disc of a rigid material compared with the material of said closure closely overlying said central panel of the closure and of an external diameter suitable to press said closure into annular sealing engagement with the interior surface of said container wall and spaced inwardly of said rim, and a tab on said disc for removal from its position in relationship to the closure, said closure being provided with an exterior tab integral on said flange portion for removal of the closure from its position of closing engagement with the container.

2. In combination: a cylindrical container closed at one end and having a circumferential wall of fibreboard terminating at its other end in an annular rim; a closure in closing engagement with said container adjacent said other end, said closure being formed from an ethylene vinyl acetate polymer comprising a central panel transversely spanning said container at a location inwardly of said other end, said fibreboard wall being continuously internally lined with a moisture impervious material to a location outwardly of the sealing engagement between said closure and the container, and a circumferential annular integral flange which is generally U-shaped in transverse section extending generally transversely from the periphery of the central panel, said flange being disposed with its bight overlying the rim and serving to snugly engage the portion of the wall between the central panel of the closure and the rim, said flange, when said closure is in closing engagement with said container, having an internal diameter slightly greater than the internal diameter of the circumferential wall of the container; a thin circular disc of a rigid material compared with the material of said closure closely overlying said central panel of the closure and of an external diameter suitable to press said closure into annular sealing engagement with the interior surface of said container wall and spaced inwardly of said rim, and a tab on said disc for removal from its position in relationship to the closure, said closure being provided with an exterior tab integral on said flange portion for removal of the closure from its position of closing engagement with the container.

3. The combination defined by claim 2, wherein said thin circular disc is formed from aluminum.

4. In combination: a cylindrical container closed at one end and having a circumferential wall of fibreboard terminating at its other end in an annular rim; a closure in closing engagement with said container adjacent said other end, said closure being formed from a flexible resilient material having rubber-like properties and comprising a central panel transversely spanning said container at a location inwardly of said other end, said fibreboard wall being continuously internally lined with a moisture impervious material to a location outwardly of the sealing engagement between said closure and the container, and a circumferential annular integral flange which is generally U-shaped in transverse section extending generally transversely from the periphery of the central panel, said flange being disposed with its bight overlying the rim and serving to snugly engage the portion of the wall between the central panel of the closure and the rim, said flange, when said closure is in closing engagement with said container, having an internal diameter slightly greater than the internal diameter of the circumferential wall of the container; a thin circular disc of aluminum material closely overlying said central panel of the closure and of an external diameter suitable to press said closure into annular sealing engagement with the interior surface of said container wall and spaced inwardly of said rim, and a tab on said disc for removal from its position in relationship to the closure, said closure being provided with an exterior tab integral on said flange portion for removal of the closure from its position of closing engagement with the container.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,901,140 8/1959 Robinson 2l541 3,028,985 4/1962 Pope 215-52 3,241,739 3/1966 Ahlemeyer 229-4.5

FOREIGN PATENTS 960,296 6/ 1964 Great Britain. 553,103 12/1956 Italy.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner. R. PESHOCK, Assistant Examiner. 

